San Clemente, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

010 defines a 'loud or unruly gathering' as two or more people at a residential social occasion whose conduct becomes a public nuisance, listing examples such as noise beyond the City's noise ordinance, blocking streets or rights-of-way, serving alcohol to minors, fights, vandalism, litter, public urination and public drunkenness. A 'responsible person' includes whoever rents or is in charge of the unit, anyone who organizes or sponsors the gathering, and any attendee who personally engages in the loud or unruly conduct; if that person is a juvenile, a parent or guardian is added as a responsible person too.

020 makes hosting or allowing such a gathering an unlawful public nuisance the City can abate through officer orders to disband, citations or arrests, but it shields an owner or resident who took reasonable steps to exclude uninvited guests, and it does not attach liability for an isolated, unforeseeable act by an invited guest the host could not reasonably control. 030 requires posting a notice at the property that stays valid for 180 days; removing that notice without written City authorization is itself a violation.

060: $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within 180 days, $500 for a third, and a fourth may be charged as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000. An owner who does not live on-site and has already mailed notice is not liable for a second response until 14 days after that mailing, and a financial-hardship waiver or payment plan can be requested from the Finance Director within 15 days of a citation.